Lambeau tour generates football fever

If you would have asked me a week ago if I was ready for football, I would have answered no because I'm still trying to thaw out from last season. However, my attitude changed when a group of us took a tour of Lambeau Field.

Of the several options available to us, we chose the Champions Tour. Our guide, Stephen, introduced himself as well as Ron, our shepherd. As someone who is both hearing and sight impaired, I have a constant fear of falling down stairs or touching something I wasn't supposed to because I didn't hear the rules. But Stephen was wearing a microphone and gave us clear instructions while pointing out Ron's job was to make sure our group stayed together and to assist in any way such as using an elevator in case one could not take the stairs. I got the impression these guys were professionals and were not going to let anything happen on their watch. Feeling safe and satisfied I was in capable hands, I relaxed a little and enjoyed the tour.

As we stood in the atrium, Stephen starts out by telling us how the stadium came to be the way it is today. Back when Bob Harlan was president and the only building available was the bowl itself, he noticed wedding parties stopping to have their pictures taken in front of Lambeau Field. Rather than having people coming for the games only, he suggested the Packers renovate so fans could enjoy the facility year round.

Lambeau Field offers a variety of seating is because during recent renovations, Packers heard various preferences -- ranging from outdoor aluminum benches to indoor, cushioned theater-style seating -- from shareholders and fans.(Photo: File/Press-Gazette Media)

Next we were taken to an indoor seating area where we sat in theater-style, cushioned chairs, as our guide talked about how Curly Lambeau started the team, why he chose the colors he did (if you want to know, take the tour!) and when Vince Lombardi became the coach. Our next stop was a room called the Champions Club. Here there were tables and chairs in an area that sat about 120 people. Along the back wall was a display case that held, among other things, the Lombardi Trophy from Super Bowl XLV. Stephen explains the reason for the variety of seating is because during the renovations, shareholders and fans were asked how they would like to see the game. Some like the outdoor aluminum seats because it's the only way to watch football. Others wanted indoor, cushioned theater-style seating and then there were those who wanted to sit at tables and visit with friends and family while also enjoying the game. He further states that of all the professional stadiums, Lambeau Field has the most seating available to those in wheelchairs.

After a few other stops, including the roof, we headed down to the lowest level and my favorite part of the tour. Just outside the player's locker room door is a black, marble plaque engraved with the words "Proud generations of Green Bay Packers Players, World Champions a record 13 times, have run over this very concrete to Greatness."

I was unable to see it but my daughter asked me if I wanted to touch it. I placed my palm on the smooth, cold marble and thought about how every single player, rookie, coach and staff member saw it as they ran out to the field before the start of each game. A loud recording of the fans cheering played as our group slowly walked through the tunnel and out to the sideline. We sat on the player's bench, took family photos with the help of Stephen and Ron, and felt for a moment what it must be like to be a part of such a great franchise with an incredible history.

As a shareholder, my husband was impressed and proud of the workmanship throughout the facility. As a person with a disability, I was pleased at the ease of getting from one area to the next and the helpful staff. I truly believed I was able to experience Lambeau Field just like everyone else who is in awe of the Green Bay Packers. As we left the tour, my daughter summed it up the best by saying, "We have the best team in the world." Now I am ready for football.

Lori Linna is a Green Bay resident and contributor to the Community Snapshots section.